Quoted Text

CAPITOL
Paterson calls for new regs on gifts to doctors
Pharmaceutical marketing targeted
BY VALERIE BAUMAN The Associated Press

    The days of pharmaceutical sales reps giving doctors everything from pens and mugs to expensespaid meals to persuade them to prescribe higher cost drugs would be over under a New York proposal fought by the industry.
    Gov. David Paterson is proposing new, tougher prohibitions on pharmaceutical companies, restricting them from dispensing gifts and mislead production information to doctors while promoting the use of specific drugs. New York would join at least nine states that have enacted legislation affecting pharmaceutical marketing, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
    “This will benefit patient care and reduce costs in the Medicaid program, as more expensive drugs will not be prescribed for the wrong reasons,” Paterson said.
    Paterson wants to prevent pharmaceutical companies from influencing the prescribing habits of doctors.
    “Cracking down on the gifts that the drug industry gives to doctors could lead to more independent prescribing by physicians,” said Bill Ferris, a lobbyist for AARP. “Doctors are constantly being solicited to prescribe high-cost brand name drugs when equally effective less expensive drugs may be available.”
    The Paterson administration estimates the change will generate little money for the state through cutting the spending on prescription drugs, but argues it’s important for New Yorkers to know they are being prescribed medications for the right reasons.
    Pharmaceutical companies argue Paterson’s measures go beyond the current voluntary code by interfering with the relationships between doctors and experts who act as consultants for the companies. ..............>>>>......................>>>>................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01203&AppName=1

The CONSUMER can demand no-name brands.....it's up to the CONSUMER/PATIENT to inform themselves and stop walking around like dumb sheep....after the courts deem it's okay for companies to
give to political campaigns what a freakin' joke.....then the government PROMOTES drug advertisements on TV......for a bunch of Regular Joe's who couldn't even tell you what an enema is....

apples and oranges folks....the MD's are not in cahoots with the drug companies any more than the politicians are---not to mention the insurance companies......

being a nurse for all these years I cant tell you how many folks have no freakin' idea what/why they take medications....they take no responsibility for their own lifestyles and walk in and out of the MD's
office as if they were the expert witchdoctor in town....this is why national healthcare is a FARCE.........the politicians are lawyers NOT doctors.....this sounds like a great game of sorts for the gridiron....

anyone selling tickets to this one????


......get off my back.......

I don't think it's the roll of government to control or dictate what a 'private' company gives as gifts to 'private' doctors. The government is already controlling the 'private' banks, the 'private' auto industries, 'CEO'S 'private' salaries and the proposed 'private' health care.

How much more are we willing to accept of this government take over of our private lives and businesses?